ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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Scientists establish leech as model for study of reproductive behavior (March 17, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered that injecting a simple hormone into leeches creates a novel way to study how hormones and the nervous system work together to produce species-specific reproductive behavior. ... > full story
The mode of action of certain toxins that accumulate in seafood (March 17, 2010) -- Toxins released by certain microalgae can contaminate fish and shellfish which then become toxic to humans. Researchers have, for the first time, identified the mechanisms of action of two of these toxins. They have shown how and why they cause neurological symptoms. These findings could provide a basis for the development of new tests to screen for these toxins. ... > full story
Southern Ocean winds open window to the deep sea (March 17, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered how changes in winds blowing on the Southern Ocean drive variations in the depth of the surface layer of sea water responsible for regulating exchanges of heat and carbon dioxide between the ocean and the atmosphere. ... > full story
Flowering plants may be considerably older than previously thought (March 17, 2010) -- Flowering plants may be considerably older than previously thought, says a new analysis of the plant family tree. Previous studies suggest that flowering plants, or angiosperms, first arose 140 to 190 million years ago. Now, a new article pushes back the age of angiosperms to 215 million years ago, some 25 to 75 million years earlier than either the fossil record or previous molecular studies suggest. ... > full story
How plants put down roots: Geneticists research organ development in the plant embryo (March 16, 2010) -- Scientists have investigated how the thale cress, Arabidopsis thaliana, forms its first roots: the root founder cell in the tiny group of cells contained in the seed is activated by a combination of a plant hormone and a transcription factor. These insights could contribute to the breeding of plants with a particularly effective root system in the future. ... > full story
Chemicals that eased one environmental problem may worsen another (March 16, 2010) -- Chemicals that helped solve a global environmental crisis in the 1990s -- the hole in Earth's protective ozone layer -- may be making another problem -- acid rain -- worse, scientists are reporting. A new study analyzes the effect of chemicals that replaced the ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons once used in aerosol spray cans, air conditioners, refrigerators, and other products. ... > full story
Earthquake observatory in Northern Chile to monitor the last seismic gap (March 16, 2010) -- The high-magnitude earthquake of Feb. 27, 2010 in southern Central Chile closed one of the two remaining seismic gaps at the South American plate boundary. After the quake of Concepción, the remaining gap in the north of Chile now holds potential for a comparable strong quake and is, thus, moving more and more into the focus of attention. ... > full story
People will forgo luxury for green products when status is on mind, researcher finds (March 16, 2010) -- A new study finds that people will forgo luxury and comfort for a green item. ... > full story
Catastrophic flooding may be more predictable with new models (March 16, 2010) -- Researchers have created a miniature river delta that replicates flooding patterns seen in natural rivers, resulting in a mathematical model capable of aiding in the prediction of the next catastrophic flood. ... > full story
UV exposure has increased over the last 30 years, but stabilized since the mid-1990s (March 16, 2010) -- NASA scientists analyzing 30 years of satellite data have found that the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth's surface has increased markedly over the last three decades. Most of the increase has occurred in the mid-and-high latitudes, and there's been little or no increase in tropical regions. ... > full story
Monkeys choose variety for variety's sake (March 16, 2010) -- Given a choice between spending a token to get their absolute favorite food or spending it to have a choice from a buffet of options, capuchin monkeys will opt for variety. ... > full story
Computational feat speeds finding of genes to milliseconds instead of years (March 16, 2010) -- Like a magician who says, "Pick a card, any card," computer scientist Debashis Sahoo seemed to be offering some kind of trick when he asked researchers to pick any two genes already known to be involved in stem cell development. Finding such genes can take years and hundreds of thousands of dollars, but Sahoo was promising the skeptical stem cell scientists that, in a fraction of a second and for practically zero cost, he could find new genes involved in the same developmental pathway as the two genes provided. Sahoo went on to show that this amazing feat could actually be performed. ... > full story
3-D cell culture: Making cells feel right at home, suspended in magnetic fields (March 16, 2010) -- New research takes aim at a biological icon: the two-dimensional petri dish. Scientists have found a simple way to suspend cells in magnetic fields so they grow into three-dimensional cell cultures. Compared with flat cell cultures, the 3-D cell cultures more closely resemble real tissues from the body and should provide more realistic targets for testing new drugs. ... > full story
Fruit flies and test tubes open new window on Alzheimer's disease (March 16, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a molecule that can prevent a toxic protein involved Alzheimer's disease from building up in the brain. They found that in test tube studies the molecule not only prevents the protein from forming clumps but can also reverse this process. Then, using fruit flies with Alzheimer's disease, they showed that the same molecule effectively "cures" the insects of the disease. ... > full story
Chemical in bananas identified as potent inhibitor of HIV infection (March 16, 2010) -- A potent new inhibitor of HIV, derived from bananas, may open the door to new treatments to prevent sexual transmission of HIV, according to a new study. ... > full story
New hand bacteria study holds promise for forensics identification (March 16, 2010) -- Forensic scientists may soon have a valuable new item in their toolkits -- a way to identify individuals using unique, telltale types of hand bacteria left behind on objects like keyboards and computer mice, says a new study. ... > full story
Yellow fever strikes monkey populations in South America (March 16, 2010) -- A group of Argentine scientists have announced that yellow fever is the culprit in a 2007-2008 die-off of howler monkeys in northeastern Argentina, a finding that underscores the importance of paying attention to the health of wildlife and how the health of people and wild nature are so closely linked. ... > full story
One gene lost = one limb regained? Scientists demonstrate mammalian regeneration through a single gene deletion (March 16, 2010) -- The absence of a single gene, called p21, confers a healing potential in mice long thought to be reserved only for creatures like flatworms, sponges, and some species of salamander: regeneration. Researchers demonstrate that mice that lack the gene can regenerate lost or damaged tissue, suggesting that such an ability may be granted to mammals by blocking the effects of p21. ... > full story
Bt protein found effective against parasitic roundworm infections (March 16, 2010) -- Biologists have discovered that a protein from a soil bacterium used to kill insects naturally on organic crops is a highly effective treatment for intestinal parasitic roundworms. ... > full story
Potential CITES trade ban for rare salamander underscores wildlife e-commerce (March 16, 2010) -- A little-known Iranian salamander is poised to become the first example of a species requiring international government protection because of e-commerce -- a major threat to endangered wildlife that authorities are struggling to address. ... > full story
Freshwater polyp hydra genome sequenced: Survey finds genes linked to Huntington's, Alzheimer's (March 15, 2010) -- An international team of scientists have sequenced the genome of Hydra, a freshwater polyp that's been a staple of biological research for 300 years. ... > full story
Peru mahogany decision highlights overlooked timber proposals at CITES (March 15, 2010) -- Beyond the headline-grabbing proposals on bluefin tuna and ivory trade, the largest wildlife trade convention meeting this week will also address several timber-related issues -- an often overlooked responsibility of the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. ... > full story
When did the first 'modern' human beings appear in the Iberian Peninsula? (March 15, 2010) -- New research has stirred up scientific debate about the appearance of the first "modern" human beings on the Iberian Peninsula and their possible bearing on the extinction of the Neanderthals. ... > full story
Chinese medicine societies reject tiger bones ahead of CITES conference (March 15, 2010) -- WWF and TRAFFIC welcome a World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies statement urging its members not to use tiger bone or any other parts from endangered wildlife. ... > full story
Fossil of early terrestrial amphibian discovered (March 15, 2010) -- Researchers have described a new carnivorous amphibian from western Pennsylvania. The 300-million-year-old remarkably preserved fossil is one of few amphibians displaying evidence of a land-based life history so early in time. The rocks where Fedexia was found are nearly 20 million years older than those of its fossil relatives, suggesting that the group's expansion occurred much earlier than previously thought. ... > full story
Carbon emissions 'outsourced' to developing countries (March 15, 2010) -- Scientists report that over a third of carbon dioxide emissions associated with consumption of goods and services in many developed countries are actually emitted outside their borders. The study finds that, per person, about 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide are consumed in the US but produced somewhere else. For Europeans, the figure can exceed four tons per person. Most of these emissions are outsourced to developing countries, especially China. ... > full story
Unlocking the opium poppy's biggest secret: Genes that make codeine, morphine (March 15, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered the unique genes that allow the opium poppy to make codeine and morphine, opening the door to alternate methods of producing these effective painkillers either by manufacturing them in a lab or controlling the production of these compounds in the plant. ... > full story
Decoding the long calls of the orangutan (March 15, 2010) -- Research into the long calls of male orangutans in Borneo has given scientists new insight into how these solitary apes communicate through dense jungle. An acoustic analysis of the calls reveals that the calls not only serve to attract females, but also contain information on the identity and the context of the caller. ... > full story
New microscopy technique offers close-up, real-time view of cellular phenomena (March 15, 2010) -- For two decades, scientists have been pursuing a potential new way to treat bacterial infections, using naturally occurring proteins known as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Now, scientists have recorded the first microscopic images showing the deadly effects of AMPs, most of which kill by poking holes in bacterial cell membranes. ... > full story
Pancreatic cancer study reveals mechanism initiating disease, in mice (March 15, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered how a mutated gene known as Kras is able to hijack mouse cells damaged by acute pancreatitis, putting them on the path to becoming pancreatic cancer cells. ... > full story
Inner workings of the inflammatory response to Leishmaniasis (March 15, 2010) -- The secret world of inflammation is slowly being revealed by the application of advanced techniques in microscopy, as shown in a new study. Researchers used 2-photon microscopy to identify how killer T lymphocytes behaved when they enter sites of inflammation caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani, and which infected cells they were able to recognize. ... > full story
Vitamin D and calcium interplay explored (March 15, 2010) -- Increasing calcium intake is a common -- yet not always successful -- strategy for reducing bone fractures. But a new study underscores the importance of vitamin D and its ability to help the body utilize calcium. The study also may explain why increasing calcium alone isn't always successful in dealing with this problem. ... > full story
Purple loosestrife: Climate may keep beautiful invasive plant in check (March 15, 2010) -- The flowering plant -- purple loosestrife -- has been heading north since it was first introduced from Europe to the eastern seaboard 150 years ago. This exotic invader chokes out native species and has dramatically altered wetland habitats in North America. But it turns out it may have a vulnerability after all: the northern climate. Canadian scientists have found that adapting to the Great White North carries a severe reproductive penalty that may limit its spread. ... > full story
Silk structure analysis explains paradox of super-strength; could lead to even stronger synthetic materials (March 15, 2010) -- Spiders and silkworms are masters of materials science, but scientists are finally catching up. Silks are among the toughest materials known, stronger and less brittle, pound for pound, than steel. Now scientists have unraveled some of their deepest secrets in research that could lead the way to the creation of synthetic materials that duplicate, or even exceed, the extraordinary properties of natural silk. ... > full story
Forest tree species diversity depends on individual variation (March 15, 2010) -- It's a paradox that's puzzled scientists for a half-century. Models clearly show that the coexistence of competing species depends on those species responding differently to the availability of resources. Then why do studies comparing competing tree species draw a blank? ... > full story
To Arctic animals, time of day really doesn't matter (March 15, 2010) -- In the far northern reaches of the Arctic, day versus night often doesn't mean a whole lot. During parts of the year, the sun does not set; at other times, it's just the opposite. A new study shows that Arctic reindeer have come up with a solution to living under those extreme conditions: They've abandoned use of the internal clock that drives the daily biological rhythms in other organisms. ... > full story
Can a single layer of cells control a leaf's size? (March 15, 2010) -- Little is known about the developmental control of leaf size and shape, and understanding the mechanisms behind this is a major issue in plant biology. New research concludes that communication between adjacent cell layers plays an important role in determining leaf size. Cells in one tissue layer can control the rate of division of cells in another tissue layer, which in turn influences overall leaf size. ... > full story
Fishery management practices for beluga sturgeon must change, experts urge (March 15, 2010) -- A first-of-its-kind study of a Caspian Sea beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) fishery demonstrates current harvest rates are four to five times higher than those that would sustain population abundance. The study's results suggest that conservation strategies for beluga sturgeon should focus on reducing the overfishing of adults rather than heavily relying upon hatchery supplementation. ... > full story
'World's most useful tree' provides new low-cost water purification method for developing world (March 14, 2010) -- A low-cost water purification technique could help drastically reduce the incidence of waterborne disease in the developing world. The procedure, which uses seeds from the Moringa oleifera tree, can produce a 90.00% to 99.99% bacterial reduction in previously untreated water. ... > full story
Discovery of cellular 'switch' may provide new means of triggering cell death, treating disease (March 14, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a previously unknown cellular "switch" that may provide researchers with a new means of triggering programmed cell death, findings with implications for treating cancer. ... > full story
Quantum dots spotlight DNA-repair proteins in motion (March 14, 2010) -- Repair proteins appear to efficiently scan the genome for errors by jumping like fleas between DNA molecules, sliding along the strands, and perhaps pausing at suspicious spots, say researchers who tagged the proteins with quantum dots to watch the action unfold. ... > full story
Scientists identify key protein from mitochondria in energy regulation (March 14, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that governs this pathway and in the process identified a novel potential therapeutic target for controlling fat metabolism. ... > full story
Scientists identify driving forces in human cell division (March 14, 2010) -- Using a novel imaging system for quantifying aspects of cell division in three dimensions, scientists have discovered new interactions between sister kinetochores -- the protein bundles at the contact point between the two identical strands of a chromosome -- and the microtubule motors that help pull the strands apart. ... > full story
Barrier in mosquito midgut protects invading pathogens (March 14, 2010) -- Scientists studying the Anopheles gambiae mosquito have found that the act of feeding triggers two enzymes to form a protective barrier that prevents the mosquito's immune defense system from clearing disease-causing agents that can be passed on to humans. Disrupting the protein barrier can trigger mosquito immune defenses to intervene and protect the insect from infection. This finding could inform new strategies for blocking malaria transmission. ... > full story
Human cells exhibit foraging behavior like amoebae and bacteria (March 13, 2010) -- When cells move about in the body, they follow a complex pattern similar to that which amoebae and bacteria use when searching for food, researchers have found. ... > full story
Prehistoric response to global warming informs human planning today (March 13, 2010) -- Since 2004, University at Buffalo anthropologist Ezra Zubrow has worked intensively with teams of scientists in the Arctic regions of St. James Bay, Quebec, northern Finland and Kamchatka to understand how humans living 4,000 to 6,000 years ago reacted to climate changes. ... > full story
Small dogs originated in the Middle East, genetic study finds (March 13, 2010) -- A genetic study has found that small domestic dogs probably originated in the Middle East more than 12,000 years ago. Researchers have traced the evolutionary history of the IGF1 gene, finding that the version of the gene that is a major determinant of small size probably originated as a result of the domestication of the Middle Eastern gray wolf. ... > full story
Plants discover the benefits of good neighbors in strategy against herbivores (March 13, 2010) -- Scandinavian scientists have discovered that a species of tree defends itself from herbivore attack by using chemicals emitted by neighboring plants. The study reveals how species of Birch tree absorb chemical compounds from neighboring Marsh tea plants, Rhondodendron tomentosum, in a unique "defense by neighbor strategy." ... > full story
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